Slow-Cooker Hot & Sour Soup

In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine broth, carrots, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, the 1/2 cup water, the mushrooms, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and crushed red pepper (see Tip).

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 4 hours.

If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. In a small bowl stir together cornstarch and the 2 tablespoons cold water; stir into chicken broth mixture in slow cooker. Add frozen shrimp and the tofu. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more. Sprinkle each serving with parsley.